Truss



J. CUNNINGHAM.

TRUSS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC-14,1918- 1,345,139. PatentedJune29,1920.

. UNITED STA ES PATENT. omce.

"TOHN CUNNINGIIAM, OF UKIAH, CALIFORNIA.

TRUSS.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented J un 29, 1920,

Applicationfiled December 14, 1918. Serial No. 266,736;

The object of he lnventlon is to provide a truss the several parts of which are adjustable with respect to each other, and certain of said parts are self ad ust1ng according to the movements of the body of the wearer.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a truss, such connection between the pad spring, the leg stra and the waist band as to permit free circu ar movement of the strap end and the band ends on the spring according to the movement of the body of the wearer without changing or varying the pressure of the spring on the pad.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a pad of novel and peculiar shape or construction, and a spiral spring having one end loosely fitting within thepad, and the other end of the same diameter for holding the ends of a waist band and the end of a hip strap in circular movement during the fixed posltion of the pad in proper position on a wearer. 3

Various other objects, advantages and improved results are attainable in the prac tical application of the invention as hereinafter disclosed.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this app ication:

Figure 1 is a perspective view.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the pad and the spring with the strap removed and showing the band ends hooked to the spring.

Fig. 3 is an inverted elevation of part of the spring showing the strap and band hooks applied, the movement of the hooks being shown in dotted lines.

Fig. 4 is an elevation of the body-bearing face of the pad.

Fig. 5 is a detail section of part of a pad and spring the dotted lines showing the movement of the pad lip.

- strap in wearing position.

Fig; 6 is a front viewv of part of a truss for double rupture. V

In carrying. out my invention I- employ preferably fabric webbing for the waist and 1, and for the strap 2, the latter is narrower and may be of lighter weave than the band which is desirably wide and of sufficient textural weave or weight as to remain in fiat position when worn. Each end of the band is provided with a buckle 'com prising a pivoted bail 3 having piercing points 4, and a rigid frame 5 having ahook 6 projecting forward or toward the ends of the band 1. One end of the strap 2 has a loop 7 slidable on the band, and the other end 'of the strap is provided with a buckle 8 having a hook 9 projecting therefrom. The hooks 6 and 9 engage the outer .end of a spiral'spring 10 for free circular sliding movement with respect to the spring in applying the truss and according to the movements of the body of a' wearer. The other or inner end-of the spring is of the same diameter as the outer end, sothat the spring is of the same diameter throughout, and is not cone shaped as such springs are usually circular movement of the hooks so thatthey may adjust themselves for direct pressure on'the spring perpendicular to the pad 11, under the pull or tension of the band and Contrary to the usual cone spiral springs there is no central compression of one end of my spring, but the compression and expansion of my spring is uniform throughout so that the outer end is always opposite the inner end, and there is no possibility of disalinement of the spring under various movements of the wearer. The self-adjusting hooks 6 and 9 equalize the pull of the band and strap on the spring so as to prevent tilting of the spring in the pad seat and keeps the spring in perfect ali-nement under all conditions and positions of the wearer, without the usual and uncertain adjustments of the strap, band and spring. v

The pad 11 is preferably composed of a circular body of rubber and comprises an outer face forming a seat 12 for the spring, a beveled annular flexible lip 13 overhanging said seat and adapted to permit the inner end of the spring to be pressed there.

' under into the seat and to be expeditiously"- made. My spring affords means for free and that the slight central protrusion of I the pad is sufiicient to fit a rupture opening and keep the rupture in natural position without pushing and undue pressure- This from'practical experiencevwith a multitude of pads and trusses on my own rupture is highly essential and of great practical importance for comfort and utility. The same is true of my method of connecting the strap and band ends with the spring so as to permit free circular movement of said ends in self-adjustment for controlling the tension of the spring on the pad. Obviously after the buckles are once adjusted on the strap and the band for a wearer, there is no further adjustment thereof required, and such other, ad'ustment is afforded by merely applying t e; hooks to the sprin In view of the simplicity 0% my truss it will be seen that one or the other of the band hooks may not be removedfrom the spring in ap lying the truss, that the spring and ad is ree to be adjusted to the most com ortable position after the strap and band has been hooked to the spring, and that the strap being hooked between the band of the appended claim.

\ Obviously this truss may be usedfor either right or left rupture, and in the case of a double rupture, the parts he'reinbefore described are duplicated and the springs are connected by a short strap 16 having a buckle l7 and hooks 17, as clearly shown in Fig. 6 of'the drawings. 7 Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letter's Patent is: In a truss of the character described, a waist band, a hookedbuckle on each end of the band, a pad, a coiled pad spring intervening the buckles and to which the hooks are slidably attached so as to permit free circular movement ofv the hooks on the spring with respect to each other, and a perineal strap slidable on the band and having a buckle hook for free circular. movement on the spring between the band buckle hooks, substantially as set forth. I

In testimony whereof I afiix .my signature in presence of two witnesses.

. JOHN CUNNINGHAM.

Witnesses:

' M. A. CARPENTER,

1 T. J. WEEDON. 

